NASA is preparing to launch the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES-2026) funding program, providing researchers, universities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and research institutions with opportunities to secure funding for cutting-edge scientific research in space and Earth sciences.
The ROSES program is NASA’s flagship annual research solicitation administered through the Science Mission Directorate (SMD), supporting innovative projects that advance scientific discovery, technology development, and humanity’s understanding of Earth, the Solar System, and the universe.
About NASA ROSES-2026
The Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES) program funds a broad portfolio of scientific investigations across NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
According to NASA, ROSES-2026 is anticipated to be released in July 2026, while the current ROSES-2025 solicitation will remain open through August 2026. Researchers are encouraged to begin preparing proposals in advance.
Each year, ROSES supports hundreds of research projects covering disciplines such as:
- Earth Science
- Planetary Science
- Astrophysics
- Heliophysics
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Space Technology
- Climate Science
- Data Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Remote Sensing
- Space Exploration Technologies
Who Can Apply?
NASA welcomes proposals from a wide variety of organizations, including:
- Universities
- Research institutions
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
- Private companies
- International organizations (subject to NASA eligibility requirements)
- Individual principal investigators affiliated with eligible institutions
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the specific ROSES program element.
Research Areas
Funding opportunities typically include research related to:
- Earth observation
- Climate change
- Atmospheric science
- Ocean science
- Planetary exploration
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Solar physics
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine learning
- Robotics
- Space biology
- Data analytics
- Space missions
- Instrument development
- Remote sensing technologies
Funding Benefits
Successful applicants may receive:
- Competitive research funding
- Multi-year project support
- Collaboration opportunities with NASA scientists
- Access to NASA facilities and scientific resources
- Opportunities to publish high-impact research
- International research collaborations
- Support for innovative technology development
Funding amounts vary depending on the individual research opportunity.
Why Apply?
NASA’s ROSES program enables researchers to:
- Conduct world-class scientific research
- Address major global scientific challenges
- Advance space exploration
- Develop innovative technologies
- Build international collaborations
- Contribute to future NASA missions
- Expand institutional research capacity
Proposal Preparation
Applicants are encouraged to:
- Review the appropriate ROSES program element carefully.
- Develop a strong scientific research proposal.
- Assemble qualified research teams.
- Prepare project budgets and timelines.
- Ensure compliance with NASA proposal requirements.
- Submit proposals through NASA’s designated proposal systems before applicable deadlines.
Additional NASA Research Opportunities
Alongside ROSES-2026, NASA continues to announce additional funding opportunities across multiple research programs, including:
- Astrophysics Explorer missions
- Earth Venture investigations
- Earth Science partnership proposals
- Planetary science initiatives
- Space biology research
- Technology development programs
- Community Requests for Information (RFIs)
These opportunities support researchers working on innovative solutions that advance NASA’s scientific mission.
Tips for a Strong Proposal
To improve competitiveness, applicants should:
- Clearly define research objectives.
- Demonstrate scientific significance.
- Present a realistic methodology.
- Highlight innovation.
- Build experienced multidisciplinary teams.
- Follow all NASA proposal instructions carefully.
- Submit complete documentation before deadlines.
Why NASA ROSES Matters
The ROSES program plays a critical role in advancing scientific knowledge across numerous disciplines while supporting researchers who are developing technologies and discoveries that contribute to future space missions, Earth observation, climate research, and planetary exploration.
Each year, NASA invests in groundbreaking research that strengthens scientific collaboration and expands humanity’s understanding of the universe.
How to Apply
Interested researchers should:
- Monitor the official NASA Science Mission Directorate announcements for the release of ROSES-2026.
- Review the specific research opportunity that matches their expertise.
- Prepare all required proposal documents.
- Submit applications through NASA’s proposal submission platform before the applicable deadline.
Conclusion
NASA ROSES-2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for scientists, universities, and research organizations to secure funding for innovative research across space and Earth sciences. With anticipated release in July 2026, researchers should begin preparing competitive proposals early to take advantage of one of the world’s largest scientific research funding programs.
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